Latching device



July 14, 1925. 1,546,192

J. BERG LATCHING DEVICE Original Filed A113. IS, 1921 ?atented July 14, 1925.

U N l T E D S T A TES PATENT OFFICE.-

J'OHN BERG, OF EUREKA, CALIFORNIA.

LATCHING DEVICE.

original application filed August 3, 1921, Serial No. 469,530. Divided and this application filed December 29, 1922. Serial No. 609,606.

. the following is a specification.

My invention relates to latching devices, and is a division of my CQ-pending application, Serial No. 489,530, filed August 3rd, 1921.

The purpose of my invention is the provision of a latching device particularly adapted, although not necessarily. for releasably connecting the sections of a collapsible tent pole to rigidly maintain the sections in fully extended position..

Although I have scribed. only one form of latching device embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit ofthe invention and the spirit and .soope-of the appended claims.

.In the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 is a view showing in side elevation two sections of a tent pole or other form of support having applied thereto one form of latching device embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of the latching device shown in Figure 1.

Referring specifically tothe drawihgs in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, my invention in its present embodiment comprises an inverted L-shapcd plate 22 provided with screw receiving openings by means of which it is adapted to (be secured to one oil-the sections of the tent pole. The horizontal portion. of the plate 22 constitutes a lip 23, which as shown is provided with a slot 24:. Below the lip 23, the plate 22 is formed with a pair of spaced cars 25 between which is pivotally sustained the head of a bolt 26 carrying a wing nut 27 maintained against accidental displacement from the bolt by means of a cotterpin 27.

The latching device also includes another L shaped plate 28, the horizontal portion of which provides a lip 29 formed with a slot 30. This plate 28 is likewise formed with screw receiving openings for securing the plate as a unit to another section of a tent pole.

In Figure 1, I have shown two sections 31 and 32 of a tent pole or other form of supherein shown and dethe members from under tension.

port,. which are connected at their ends by means of a hinge 38 so as to allow-the sectlons to be "foldedone upon the other or to occupy an extended position as shown.

In the applied position of the latching device, the plate 22 is secured to the upper section 32 at a pointadjacent its lower end, with the lip 23 projecting at right angles 1frolm the adjacent face of the section. Simiin end of the lower section 31 and at the same side of thesection as the plate 22. In this applied position of the plate 28, the lip 29 extends at right angles to the adjacent face of the section and is disposed in spaced parallelism with respect to the lip 23 when the the plate 28 is secured to the upper I sections are in the extended position as shown in Figure l. The bolt 26, by virtue of its mounting. can be swung. to engage within the slot 24 upon the lip 23 or Within the slot 30 of the lip 29, and it Will be understood that by an adjustment of the nut 27 the bolt may be placed under tension to securely placement. tions 31 and in Figure 1, the bolt 26 is moved to the osition shown in Figure 1 so as to be is: posed within the slot 30', and by an adjustment of the nut 27 the bolt may be securely retained in engagement with the lip and under tension so as to maintain the two sections in extend-ed position. When it is desired to fold the sections. a manipulation of the nut 27 releases the bolt 26 so that it may be removed from the slot 30 thereby allowinp; of the folding of the sections. In the folded position of the sections, the bolt 26 is swung into the by a manipulation of the nut so as vent displacement.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a pair of hinged members adapted to swing into a line end to end, and a latching When desiring to lock the sec' to pre;

the hinge for maintain.- ing the same in extended position comprising a pair of plates secured to the respective members, and a member movable to en gage either of the plates and to be placed 2. In combination, a pair of hinged members adapted to swing into a line and to end, and a latching device at the-opposite sides of the members from the hinge for moi device at the opposite sides of retain it in, either slot against dis- 32 in extended position as shown slot 24: and secured therein tanning the members in comprising a pen of imshsped pistes secured to the respective members and provided with slots, ears formed on one of the plates, :1 boit pivoted between the ears end adapted to extend through the slot of either one of the piatesend ft nut carried by the bolt and engegsbie with the last mentioned piste for maintaining placement from the slot.

3, A latching device of the character described comprising spaced slotted plates, a bolt pivotelly sustained on. one of the plates to engage within the siot of either plate, and a nut mounted on the bolt and adapted to engage either of the plates for maintaining t e bolt within the slots.

extended position -3\ 4; The combination with two members adapted to fit together end to end and n,

the bolt against ciis hinge connecting the two members at one side, of lstchin mechanism secured against the opposite si es of the members from'the hinge and comprising attaching ,iates secured. to the members on opposite sides of the line of separation, slotted members extending from corresponding ends of the attaching plates ears extending from the sides of one attaching plate, a, bolt pivotally connected to the ears and adapted to swing into theslot of either slotted member, and a nut upon the bolt so that the bolt may be swung into the slot of the opposite attaching member from the ears and ti htened, and so that the bolt may be swung mtothe other slot and'tighteneci.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speeifioation.

JOHN BERG. 

